Overnight Stay: Four Points Havana
Breakfast, Lunch included
After breakfast at our hotel, we'll visit one of Havana’s cigar factories for an in-depth look at how these renowned hand-made products are made. That will be followed by an Old Havana City walking tour. The main city squares will be visited and our guide will tell us about their history and architecture, and provide details on the present Cuban reality. You will have several stops to talk to locals and vendors present in the area.
We will take a unique form of transportation - a bici-taxi. One of the best and cheapest forms of transportation in Cuba is the bici-taxi. These 3 wheeled pedal powered taxis are not a touristy thing to do at all. In the past, bici -taxis were reserved for locals, and even now, it’s mostly locals who use them. So, we'll hop on and tell the driver where we want to go- Lunch at a local paladar restaurant. This is followed by time to walk around the area to interact with local shopkeepers and residents.
Our next stop is a visit to the best Cuban handicrafts market, Mercado San José, with time to interact with artists and vendors to learn about their art and challenges. The Mercado is located in an old warehouse on the pier of Havana Harbor and is the ideal destination for authentic Cuban souvenir shopping. Friendly local artisans set up booths within the warehouse, where they showcase paintings of Cuba, photography, embroidered garments, sculptures, jewelry, leather crafts, and cigar humidors among many other handmade knickknacks. For those wanting a little refreshment, next to the market is an excellent local brewery for those wishing to sample a Cuban brewery on their own.
We will return to the hotel where we have time to explore and have dinner on our own.